WORDS OF GOOD CHEER

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 120, 14 February 1941, Page 4

WORDS OF GOOD CHEER

Entertaining Reception At Travel Club

Each guest of honour al a Travel Club reception yesterday had something amusing to tell the audience, which was kept, on the borderline of laughter throughout the afternoon. The principal members of the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, at present in Wellington, were specially invited to the gathering, Mr. Ivan Menzies and Miss Evelyn Gardiner being the main speakers. Their remarks were in more serious vein, and they each gave listeners a '‘straight from the shoulder” message of encouragement, an endeavour which was particularly fitting for an unsettled time such as the present. Mr. it. IL Nimmo was in the chair.

It was significant that in England today most people were lighting without hate, Mr. Menzies said. They realized that apathy and evil forces which had become all too familiar in human lives today, were largely to blame for the present war. By turning the limelight on ourselves, and revealing our own little faults, we could get rid of “Fifth Coluninism” in ourselves. That, was what he strove for, day by day. Mr. Menzies added. The foundation for a new world order l;ty in the first place witli the individual, and his or her efforts toward moral rearmament.

Mr. Menzies spoke of his daughter, living in Bristol. He was glad to say that she was putting her plan for moral re-armament to good account by helping to keep a spirit of good cheer among tlie people, by singing and dancing for them in their dugouts during raids. No better justification of the plan for a better world of the future could be found than in Bristol, where the people’s conduct echoed a nobleness of spirit in the face of great trials. Up to the Women. "It is up to tlie women to win the war,” said Miss Evelyn Gardiner. They were the prime factors in a world plan. It was for women that men strove, worked and made the world more beautiful. While their husbands, fathers, brothers and sweethearts were fighting overseas, women kept watch at home, waiting to welcome them back. A man fought better when he knew his home was safe, and it was up to tlie women left behind to guard their homes and all that home life meant. Women must be ready to do their part and look to themselves to see they spoke, acted and lived for victory.

Miss Gardiner concluded by saying: “Your welcome was like coming home.”

Other members of the company each spoke a few words. Guests of honour were seated at tlie official table, together with Mr. Nimmo and Miss Amy Kane, chairman of the women's committee of the Travel Club. Mrs. Ben Fuller, Movie Queen, and Miss Patricia Luckie, Commerce Queen, in the Victory Queen Carnival, were also present.

Other members of the company who attended were Miss Sara Gregory, Mr. Bernard Manning, Mr. Gregory Stroud. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Watson, Mr. Maxwell Oldaker. Miss Peggy Shea, Miss Viola Wilson.

Special visitors included Mr. and Mrs. John Farrell. Mrs. C. Alston (South Africa). Mrs. J. S. Kelly (Canterbury Travel Club), Mrs. Roberts (Auckland), Mrs. Connolly (Auckland). Mrs. Culford Bell (Auckland Travel Club). Mrs. Max Willis (Oainarul, Mrs. Hamilton (Bluff), Miss Marion Crow (Dunedin), Miss Joy Rae (Dunedin), Miss Henley (Auckland i. Miss Hayes (Wbangarei), Mrs. It. Taylor (Auckland I, Miss Blsie K. Morton (Auckland), Miss Pearl Fisher (Auckland). Mr. J. Aniiand-Smith (chairman, queen carnival committee), Sergeant Sutherland, Mr. Edmund Anseombe. Mrs. James Marshall sang, accompanied by Miss Greenwood. Mrs. J. I. Goldsmith, Mrs. D. Rodie, Mrs. L. McKay, Mrs. O. K. Tennent, Mrs. C. W. Clark and Miss N. E. Donovan (secretary) were the hostesses.